Country: Netherlands.

The name Rotterdam comes from the stream of the Rotter River and the Dutch word Dam in the city centre. It is located on the banks of the New Maas River in the Rhine Estuary in the southwestern part of the Netherlands, 28 km from the North Sea. It is the largest port in Europe and the second largest city in the Netherlands. 40% of the city is below sea level.

Famous museums and art galleries, world-class universities and many other tourist attractions make it a unique city. Art fans don't even need to enter a museum to view art in Rotterdam because the city is lined with free outdoor art galleries. Pablo Picasso's 46 ton "Sylvette" sits at the intersection of Museumpark and Westersingel, forming part of a sculpture route that runs alongside Rotterdam's Westersingel canal.

Rotterdam opened the Markthal, a covered market hall and apartment complex in October 2014, giving the city a radical landmark to draw visitors. Apartments arch above 96 stalls selling everything from Dutch cheeses to fresh fish and many other local food and drinks. The ceiling of the Markthal bears the world's largest artwork. Spanning over 13,000 square yards, the "Horn of Plenty" by Arno Coenen is a colorful art piece depicting fruit tumbling from a summer sky, grazing cows and flowers.

A number of bars, cafes, and restaurants operate on Witte de Withstraat, the buzzing street at the heart of Rotterdam's nightlife scene.

Best travel time:
Rotterdam is cold in winter and cool in summer. Especially from the end of March to the end of May, when the rainfall is low and the climate is pleasant, it is the most energetic time in Rotterdam. At the same time Rotterdam at this time is in the flower season and you can enjoy the beautifully blooming tulip fields. However, the climate from January to March and November and December is harsh for travellers. At this time, Rotterdam is very rainy, often accompanied by strong winds, humidity and low temperature.

Dressing guide:

Rotterdam has a temperate maritime climate with cool winters and cool summers, long rainy seasons and heavy rainfall, with an average of about 300 days of rain a year. Therefore, it is necessary to almost always keep rain gear ready. The spring climate is mild and you can wear a coat. In summer, short sleeves are usually worn in the daytime, but thin warm clothing is recommended for mornings, evenings and nights. Winters in Rotterdam witness not only heavy rainfall but strong winds and insufficient light.